Jeremy Renner & Sonni Pacheco: The Hawkeye Star's Custody War of Guns, Threats, and Restraining Orders
She alleged he put a gun in his mouth and threatened to kill himself, then fired into the ceiling while their baby slept. He called the claims "dramatizations." The custody battle for their daughter became one of Hollywood's nastiest.
Key Facts
What Happened
Jeremy Renner, known for playing Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, married Canadian model Sonni Pacheco in January 2014. Their daughter Ava was born that same year. Just ten months after the wedding, Pacheco filed for divorce, and what followed was one of the most acrimonious custody battles in recent Hollywood memory.
Pacheco's allegations were explosive. She claimed Renner threatened to kill her and then himself, that he placed a gun in his own mouth and fired into the ceiling of their home while baby Ava slept in her room. She alleged Renner had a pattern of verbal, physical, and emotional abuse, and made deeply disturbing claims about his behavior around their daughter. She sought sole custody and requested the court ensure safe conditions for her depositions.
Renner vehemently denied the allegations, calling them "dramatizations" designed to gain advantage in custody proceedings. He accused Pacheco of stealing his passport, birth certificate, and social security card. His legal team painted Pacheco as a manipulative ex who fabricated or exaggerated claims for financial leverage. The back-and-forth accusations created a toxic atmosphere that continued for years.
The court ultimately ordered Renner to pay $13,000 per month in child support, plus an additional 5% of any annual income exceeding $2.3 million. Given Renner's earnings from Marvel films alone, this represented substantial payments. In January 2023, Renner suffered a life-threatening snowplow accident that added another dimension to the custody arrangement as he faced a lengthy recovery. The case remains notable for its severity of allegations and the challenge of determining truth when both parties present starkly different narratives.
Legal Breakdown: Domestic Violence in Custody
Domestic Violence Allegations in Custody Cases
Allegations of domestic violence and threats carry enormous weight in custody proceedings. California courts take a presumption against giving custody to a parent who has committed domestic violence. Even unproven allegations can result in supervised visitation or other restrictions while the court investigates.
Income-Based Child Support in California
California uses a formula that considers both parents' incomes, timeshare percentage, and tax filing status. For high earners like Renner, the court can order additional support beyond the guideline amount based on the child's reasonable needs and the parent's ability to pay. The 5% surcharge on income over $2.3M reflects this approach.
Short Marriage, Long Custody Battle
The Renner-Pacheco case demonstrates that marriage duration has no correlation with custody battle intensity. Even a 10-month marriage can produce years of litigation when children are involved. The custody of a child is determined by the child's best interests, not the length of the parents' marriage.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →If you face domestic violence or threats, document everything and contact authorities immediately. A police report creates a contemporaneous record.
- →Child support in California for high earners can be substantial. Understand the formula and how additional support may be ordered above guideline amounts.
- →A short marriage does not mean a simple divorce when children are involved. Custody disputes can outlast the marriage many times over.
- →Keep your own identity documents in a secure location. Having passports, birth certificates, and financial documents accessible is essential during divorce.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.